Yope, TikTok-linked Lemon8: Australian teens flock to new apps ahead of social media ban
The announcement of the ban has coincided with a surge in lesser known social media apps, including photo-sharing service Yope, and TikTok-linked Lemon8.
Aussie teens hoping to continue their lives online after the government’s social media ban begins may find it harder than first thought.
The government has clarified that the ban will extend beyond the 10 major apps already mentioned, as teenagers clamour to find an alternative.
The announcement of the ban has coincided with a surge in lesser known social media apps, including photo-sharing service Yope, and TikTok-linked Lemon8.
But come December 10 any app that meets the criteria of the new laws will be responsible for banning users under 16, a statement from the eSafety commissioner has clarified.
“eSafety has published its assessments of major online services to provide greater certainty for Australian families and industry. However, with just over a week to go, eSafety is also reminding the broader online industry all services are obliged to comply with the law,” the spokesman said as per The Sydney Morning Herald.
“This means services themselves must continually assess whether they meet the definition of an age-restricted social media platform. If they do ... they must take reasonable steps to ensure users under 16 do not hold an account.”
Companies can be fined nearly $50 million if they do not take the appropriate steps in banning under 16s.
Yope topped Apple’s charts on Friday, according to Crikey.
The Australian Human Rights Commission will decide whether to apply for leave to intervene in a High Court challenge to the Albanese government’s social media ban.
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Teens Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, aged 15, and a digital rights group led by NSW Libertarian MP John Ruddick are seeking an urgent injunction to block the ban.
Appearing before Senate estimates on Monday, Australian Human Rights Commission President Hugh de Krester acknowledged urgency around the case and said the Commission would consider intervening.
“It’ll be a very significant case, obviously, in terms of freedom of political communication,” he said.
